The Republic is the Solution

Over the course of human history, government systems have come and gone. Systems such as anarchism, communism, socialism, democracies and religious rule (which can be a combination of any) have all had their day. But only one system is cherished by people and has been blessed by the God of creation. The Republic or better, said, a Constitutional Republic.

The Republic is not a perfect system, being that mankind is operating it; yet it is the only system that guarantees God-given unalienable freedoms of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as long as one does not infringe on another’s very freedoms. Hence, “Do no harm.” (Oppress no one.)

When the power of government is vested properly in the people, having such appropriate law which the body of the people have agreed upon; you have a constitutional republic at hand. Note it is the very substance of the law proposed by the people, authored by God Himself, and agreed upon by all that brought forth our Republic.

We must keep in mind that a Republic does not operate automatically. It cannot be held and maintained by a central government. This is very obvious by the circumstances in our nation today. If a people create such government under God, then those people must maintain such a government.

One must now examine the original model. A body of people were drawn together by abuses that were thrust down upon them. Taxation and usurpation in several forms were the chief issues. There were also many religious issues, as many pastors and colonists were unlawfully imprisoned. In excerpts from Upshur on the Federal Government (1968), it is noted that British subjects were exempt from taxation. Unfortunately, as in all statutory governments like that of England in the 1700’s, when there are financial issues, the people become the target of unlawful usurpation. This can include taxation, loss of property rights, lack of free speech and religious intolerance. All of these are present and growing out of control daily in America.

The original model of the Republic was not so. Our forefathers came to America, leaving oppression behind, to create a new and better system whereby a man may live by the dictates of his own conscience under God with respect for others. Among the most important freedoms were free speech, free worship and property ownership.

At the onset of the original Republic, leaders at the local community level would choose wise men of 40 years and older to represent their community at the local and state assemblies. The states would then do the same, sending men to the national level to represent the will of the people. The rule at hand was strict accountability to the lowest common denominator. The local community.

It may rightly be said that we the people had set up a trust; we the people being the beneficiaries and the granters of this trust. The elected body, at the national level, were simply the trustees or guardians of this trust. They had no power to change it or abolish any part of it.

Look at the title phrase: “United States”. This is a key in understanding the true Republic. It is the several states and its counties that make up the United States. Therefore, the Federal level is the least entity of concern in this union of people.

To be more specific, the original concept of the national level of government was to represent the state and local bodies by ensuring and protecting our new found liberty from outside intervention. They are there to simply operate a protective military, deal with foreign powers and ensure the tranquility of the nation.

It was never the original idea that they should involve themselves in, or administrate over our personal lives, business, worship, finances and educations. They were never given those powers. The powers of the federal government were strictly limited.

Over the many years since our foundation as a nation, many unconstitutional legislations, statutes, non-statutory laws and codes have developed us slowly into what we call a democracy.

At the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Virginia Gov. Edmund Randolph said “…that in tracing these evils to their origin, every man had found it in the turbulence and follies of democracy.” John Adams said, “Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” Alexander Hamilton said “If we incline too much to democracy, we shall soon shoot into a monarchy, or some other form of dictatorship.”

May I remind us all that the word democracy is found nowhere in our founding documents. Our Constitution in Article IV, sec. 4, guarantees “to every state in this Union, a Republic form of government.” Quote our Pledge of Allegiance, “and to the Republic, for which it stands.”

Democracy is rule of the masses, or those the masses put over themselves. So ask yourself this question: How many decisions in your life would you like for this so called democratic system to make for you? How about what you eat, what you drive, where you go, your education or maybe whether you have chicken or ham for dinner? Sounds silly, doesn’t it? However, it is happening already, if you’re paying attention.

It was in the 1930’s and 40’s when Roosevelt began calling America a Democracy. Over time our people started believing it without even knowing what it was. Ladies and gentlemen, look at your nation today and the circumstances we are involved in around the world. Check your own situation. Welcome to the democracy in all its grandeur.
Remember these two ideas: Democracies never last, and Republics are stolen away. They are stolen away only because the people allow it. I would also remind us all that no government in the history of the world ever kept anyone’s freedom. Freedom is kept by those who participate in it and will die to keep it. Want freedom? The Republic is the solution.

Russell Bolton